The Washington dissensus : a privileged observer's perspective on US-Brazil relations / Rubens Barbosa.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Barbosa, Rubens Antonio, author.

Standardized Title:

Dissenso de Washington. English

Language:

English

Portuguese

Subjects (All):

Ambassadors.

United States--Foreign relations--Brazil.

United States.

International relations.

Brazil.

Brazil--Foreign relations--United States.

Barbosa, Rubens Antonio.

Ambassadors--Brazil--Biography.

Ambassadors--United States--Biography.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xv, 255 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Nashville, Tennessee : Vanderbilt University Press, [2014]

Summary:

"During the five years in which he represented Brazil in the United States (under both the Cardoso and Lula presidencies), Ambassador Barbosa witnessed presidential elections that brought opposition parties to power in both the United States and Brazil, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the outbreak of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the election of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In this memoir, translated from the Portuguese, he recounts the most significant regional and global issues that arose, alongside the domestic political conflicts within a divided North American society. Barbosa provides sophisticated analysis of economic relations during these changing times, and also explores the many US misconceptions about Brazil and the Latin American region. From the privileged post of observation that an ambassadorship in the American capital represents, Barbosa had the exceptional opportunity over a considerable length of time to closely follow relations between Brazil and the United States. He witnessed relations evolve under two governments as they developed distinct foreign policies, which at times led to a breakdown in understanding between the two countries."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 Brazil and the United States 1

Brazil-United States Relations under FHC and Lula 1

Colombia 7

Venezuela 8

Guiana and Suriname 8

Paraguay 8

Peru 9

Terrorism 9

Economy and Trade 11

Change of Perceptions 13

A Difficult Period in Bilateral Relations 16

Mistaken Perceptions of Brazil and Latin America in the United States 22

2 Panoramic View from the Embassy in Washington 27

The Election of George W. Bush 27

September 11 31

American Society After September 11 36

Brazil and September 11 41

The Attack on Afghanistan 48

The Invasion of Iraq 49

Brazil and the Invasion of Iraq 56

Elections in Brazil 57

Democratic Transition 62

Teamwork 63

3 Presidents FHC and Lula in Washington 65

Brazil Comes First 65

Priority for the War on Terror 73

Initiative Toward Institutionalizing Relations 74

The Political Context 76

The Economic Context 79

Lula Presents Himself in Washington 80

Intense Preparations 80

"I Like This Guy" 83

The Trade Chapter 88

Other Visits and Meetings 91

Lula in Washington during the Iraq Crisis 93

State Visit 97

4 Diplomatic Negotiations in Washington 108

The FTAA Negotiations 108

The Embassy's Participation in the Negotiations 111

The FHC Administration and the FTAA 112

The Lula Administration and the FTAA 117

Outcome 119

An Alternative Strategy Proposed: A Bilateral Agreement 124

Alcantara and the Technological Safeguards Agreement 126

The Bustani Affair 128

Coup d'État in Venezuela 132

Air Transport Problems 133

The Triple Border 135

Cooperation on Defense 137

The Amazon 143

The Immigration Issue 146

Cooperation in Third Countries 148

Brazil and the G8 149

5 Being Ambassador in Washington 151

From Ambassador in London to Ambassador in Washington 151

The Invitation 152

Arrival 154

Presenting Credentials 155

The Agenda 156

First Contacts 161

The Wife's Role 164

At Lunches and Dinners 166

Lula's Ambassador 171

Leaving Washington 173

Final Dispatch 178

The Brazilian Residence and Chancery 179

6 Work at the Helm of the Embassy in the United States 183

Public Diplomacy 183

Strengthening Ties With Academia 183

Centers of Brazilian Studies 187

The Oliveira Lima Library 189

Brazil in Schools 191

Building Credibility 192

Dealing With Issues of Trade and Economics 192

The Cayman Dossier 196

Brazilian information Center 197

Working with Congress 198

Press Relations 200

Promoting Trade 201

Ethnic Markets 204

Tourism 206

Military Attaches 207

7 Developments in Brazilian Foreign Policy toward the United States 209

8 Historical Perspective 238.

Notes:

Translated from the Portuguese.

Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780826520111

0826520111

9780826520128

082652012X

OCLC:

874970476

Online:

Cover image